Classic Poem

Whither away, Oh thou owl so white?
Outward or home to thy hollow tree?
Whither, O nightingale, steers thy flight
When thou hast sung all thy strains of glee—
Whither away?
Love you the night above the day?
Whither to roam?
Going abroad when the lark goes home?

‘Whither away’ you may say to me,
‘Outward or homeward to take your rest?
Whither, and what for to do, or see?
At night while the daylight for you is best,
Whither to go?
When night for your eyes has not much to show,
Whither to ride?
Is it for aught that the night should hide?’

Unharmful, O song bird, am I as you,
I go not to take any life away,
The moon be a witness of what I do,
Be witness the air of the words I say.
I go all alone
To seek only one, who is all my own,
To hear a sweet word
From only another, and not a third.